Throughout National Reading Month, City Savings Bank, Inc. (CitySavings), the thrift arm of Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), proudly spearheaded Brigada Pagbasa programs in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, in support of the Hamon: Bawat Bata Bumabasa (3Bs Initiatives) program of the Department of Education (DepEd).
CitySavings rises to the occasion as DepEd intensifies its campaign on reading proficiency in order to bridge the literacy gap among learners, especially in geographically isolated schools, also called last mile schools. Previous national assessments revealed that these learners still need to improve their literacy skills. This has prompted DepEd to prioritize its 3Bs Initiatives advocacy to make sure every learner can read at their grade level, and that every teacher is equipped to become effective reading instructors.
“Advocating for quality education has always been a priority of CitySavings, and we are honored to be one of the partners of DepEd. Through this Brigada Pagbasa initiative, we hope to reach more far-flung areas and provide support to address education-related advocacies,” explained CitySavings Reputation and Brand Management Head Paula Ruelan.
CitySavings, in partnership with DepEd, donated laptops, a TV set, a projector, ukeleles, sanitation essentials, reading materials, and learning and teaching kits to last-mile schools. The CitySavings team was joined by DepEd Undersecretary Gerard Chan and Director Marge Ballesteros.
The beneficiaries include Cardenas Elementary School in Nueva Ecija; Division of Camarines Sur in Bicol; Pinamuk-an Integrated Farm School in Aklan; Cantiguib Elementary School, Canlimpong Primary School, Cambanac Primary School, and Tunga Elementary School in Bohol; Districts of Hindang, Hilongos, and Inopacan in Leyte; Divisions of Dipolog City, Pagadian City, Zamboanga City, and Davao del Norte.
“Catinguib Elementary School is one of the many public schools that lack educational resources. A sad reality is that in order to maintain a fully operating classroom and meet the requirements, teachers frequently make financial sacrifices,” shared Catinguib Elementary School Officer in Charge Gorgonia Doria.
“When we were informed that our school had been selected as one of the beneficiaries of the outreach program spearheaded by the DepEd Central Office team and City Savings Bank, I was incredibly beyond grateful as this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Seeing how pleased my dear students were as they received their learning kits and reading materials brought me to tears. To our partners, thank you for making that day memorable for our students as well as for us, teachers,” Doria added.
DepEd’s 3Bs Initiatives are based on research that outlined three components of a successful reading instruction program: professional development for educators, effective instructional tools, and school systems that support and nurture implementation. A subsequent study on the efficacy of the 3Bs Initiatives program showed that its interventions have successfully improved learners’ reading performance.
CitySavings fully supports DepEd in intensifying its campaign on reading proficiency. Through its outreach programs in last-mile schools, the Bank continues its mission to support teachers and help bridge literacy gaps among Filipino learners.